Four Vulcan residents face charges following RCMP investigation

RCMP have completed a lengthy multi-jurisdiction property crime investigation which has led to 16 charges against four Vulcan residents.

In 2017, RCMP members in southern Alberta say they have had an increase in calls for service relating to thefts from rural properties and oilfield sites. Many of the reported instances have involved theft of equipment and tools as well as batteries, fuel, vehicles and copper wire.

On March 12, a member of the Vulcan RCMP responded to an oilfield site where copper wire had been stolen and observed tire marks in fresh snow. The officer later located a vehicle with similar tires in Vulcan and obtained a search warrant for the car. That warrant yielded additional evidence in several other property crime files which officers continued to investigate.

On March 30, officers from Nanton and Vulcan detachments, the RCMP’s Auto theft and General Investigation Sections served a second search warrant, this time on a residence in Vulcan after stolen property was sold on Kijiji.Inside, officers arrested five people and recovered in excess of $10,000 of stolen property, said RCMP.

The recovered property has been traced back to alleged thefts in High River, Drumheller and Vulcan, say police.

Through the course of the investigation, RCMP learned that the stolen goods were sold online as well as to scrap metal dealers in the city of Calgary.

“We know that the people involved in these types of thefts contribute to crimes in a large area,” says Sgt. Troy Dobson, Vulcan RCMP detachment commander. “I would like to thank the oil operators and public in the rural area for their assistance in this ongoing investigation”.

Cody Harris, 27, has been charged with seven offences including break and enter to a business, fail to comply with a recognizance and possession of property obtained by crime. He has been remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear in Lethbridge Provincial Court on April 24.

Jamie Smith, 39, has been charged with two counts of false pretenses. She has been released from custody and is scheduled to appear on May 15 in Lethbridge Provincial Court.

Robert Fox, 39, has been charged with possession of methamphetamine, fraud, and failing to comply with recognizance. He has been released from custody and is scheduled make his next appearance in Lethbridge Provincial Court on April 24.

Charges are also pending against another Vulcan man whose name cannot be released because the charges are not yet sworn. Investigators continue to examine evidence and additional charges are expected.